Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-29
THE HoLDEN-PRocroR DISPUTE

Mr.. Proctor, the astronomical writer,
recently gave publicity to his opinion that
the great refractor of the Lick Observatory
viii prove of very little practical value,
not of benefit, indeed, commensurate with
its great cost and the preparations now
being made to equip the Observatory. To
this Professor Holden, who is to have
charge of the Observatory, replied at
length and in very proper tone. In ex-
posing the error of judgment, on the part
of Mr.. Proctor, he incidentally stated that
the latter is less an astronomer than a
writer of popular works upon astronomy,
and that, in fact, such experience as he
has enjoyed in searching the beavers has
been confined to a small instrument of
very limited capacity, and that he is not
therefore competent to judge of great in
struments. The Lick refractor will enable
a larger field to be examined, and it will
illuminate the telescope object within
itself to degree never before attained by
any instrument. 1t is not claimed that it
will supersede all heavens-searchers of
less size, but it will permit of the use of
higher telescope powers" and this will
give it greater effectiveness in its search.
These claims are well understood by all
students of astronomy, and nothing is more
certain than this, that the Lick 36-inch
relractor will do all that its designer and
maker contemplated. These facts plainly
stated, were not relished by Mr.. Proctor,
who, on Sunday through the columns of
San Francisco paper, made an assault upon
Professor Holden, questioning his sincerity
and arraigning him for partially and I'M
fairness as 4 critic The article did not
attempt to conceal the bitterness that in
fected and prompted it. Professor Holden
yesterday replied in calm and dignifed
manner; in a tone in keeping with the
high trust he now fills as President of the
University Of California, and that equally
important one he is to soon assume at Mt
Hamilton. He points out that the whole
secret of Mr.. Proctor's rancor is founded
on his (Mr. Holden's) mistake made in
1874, when he wrote for the atlantic
Monthly a review of some of the
nest recent of Mr.. Proctor's works.
In that criticism he spoke sharp
ly OF sensational lecture delivered by
Mr., Proctor, as book written by him, and
proceeded to state his honest conviction
concerning it. When his trihing error
was pointed out, he promptly had the
proper apology publicly made. But Mr.
Proctor has not forgiven him the "slip of
the PEN" and it therefore burdens hiss
latest epistle, which reflects upon the
President of the University personally,
and seeks to create doubts of his scientific
ability. To these insinuations Professor
Holden replies with vigor and incisive-
ness, without disturbance of his mental
equilibrium or indulgence in any vituper-
alton. He has clearly indicated himself
and exposed the narrowness of spirit that
characterizes Mr. Proctor He points out
that it would be immodest for him to dis
ouss his own merits as scientific man or
hispersonal meritsas gentleman. These he
leaves to time, his work and the Judgment
Of his contemporaries which express
sion he proves himself to be the gentle
man, and one confident in his ability to
undertake the task of presiding over the
corps of astronomers at the Lick Observa-
tory. The Royal Astronomical Society
retired Mr.. Proctor as Secretary, and made
Professor Holden one of its fifty foreign
associates. Both at the Naval Observatory,
Washington, and at the Washburne OBJ
seryatory, in Wisconsin, Professor Holden
demonstrated his capacity In his many
works upon astronomical science, and
notably in his mathematical calculations,
he has established his high ability. The
wisdom Of choosing him 10 be custodian at
Mount Hamilton is confirmed by tie ac-
ceptance of positions under him by gentle
men distinguished in the scientific world,
with whose names Mr.. Proctor says Pro-
fessor Holden should not have the pre-
sumption to couple his own. Thus far in
this unhappy dispute, which has, however,
not heen without profit to California, since
it has enlarged the public intelligence,
Professor Holden has conducted himself
admirably. The thing for him to do now
is to drop Mr.. Proctor and pay no more at
tention to his assaults. The people of CAL
ifornia are pleased with his selection to
have charge at Mount Hamilton, and
nothing Mr. Proctor can say viii transform
that pleasure into dissatisfaction.